Net carrier device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a netted goal carrier for moving a netted goal junction joining a downward support and a ground support from a first location to a second location, the netted goal carrier including a mountable platform extending from a toe to a heel, a bracket mounted to the mountable platform, a depending support bracket, an upending support bracket, a wheeled assembly and an aligner configured for angular receipt of said wheeled assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of the prior filed U.S. provisional application No. 62/664,547 filed on Apr. 30, 2018 which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is broadly directed to mobile carrier for a net and more particularly to a removable wheeled device which is used to transport a freestanding netted goal associated with an amusement or sporting device from one location to another location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Either in practice or during play, various sports use balls which are targeted towards a targeted area like a goal. In some cases, these goals include a net or other covering to capture the received ball, like lacrosse, baseball, golf, football, basketball or the like. These covered goals receive the targeted ball, but also help prevent damage to people or property, while allowing for quick recovery of the targeted ball. However, in some cases the covering over the goal makes it difficult for transporting the goal.

Some goals have wheels or other movers fixed to the goals. These wheels allow for movement of the goals, but also allow for movement of the goal during play, causing the game to change depending on the actual location of the goal. In some cases, this is unacceptable based upon the rules of the game. In other cases, wheels are attached to the goal which are rotated up when not needed. However, these rotated wheels may be an obstacle during the game play which can injure the players. These exists a need for a mover which is removable and does not injure players.

In some situations, these goals may be several feet tall and may weigh hundreds of pounds. To move the goal, may take significant effort which often requires multiple people to assist. When moving the goal, the people assisting may become injured or the field or goal itself may become damaged during transport. Thus, there exists a need for an improved way to move these goals from one location to another location without injury to the people or the field.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved goal carrying mover which is adapted for receiving and supporting the goal during movement from one location to another and is removable when finished to prevent injuring players on the field and addresses at least a portion of the aforementioned shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes an improved netted goal carrier which is adapted for receiving a goal during transport from one location to another and then is removable when not in use. Generally, the invention comprises a mountable platform which extends from a toe to a heel and receives said netted goal junction during movement, a bracket mounted to said mountable platform near said toe and configured for receiving the ground support, a depending support bracket mounted near said toe and configured for supporting the netted goal junction, an upending support bracket mounted near said heel and configured for securing the downward support, a wheeled assembly configured for rotational movement of said mountable platform, and an aligner positioned near said heel and configured for angular receipt of said wheeled assembly during movement of said netted goal junction from the first location to the second location.

Various objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings submitted herewith constitute a part of this specification, include exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in receipt of a netted goal.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front-perspective of an alternative netted goal carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral 20 generally refers to an embodiment of the present invention, a net carrier device adapted for removable attached to a goal 2 during transport from one location to another. Generally, the goal 2 presents a net spanning structure which is at least partially covered by a net material for capture of the ball. Traditional goals, being generally known, are adapted for targeted capture and removeable receipt of a variety of balls (not shown) for game play or practice as desired by a user. Generally, the depicted embodiment of the current invention is operational with a rectangular faced goal 2 having at least a pair of downwardly extending support structures 8 each angularly joined to a rearward extending ground support 6 at a junction 2 a. In many cases, the downwardly extending support structures 8 are joined to the ground support 6 at opposing angles, the ground supports 6 extending rearward from the rectangular face. In operation, two sides of the goal 2 are supported during movement, both sides corresponding to a net carrier device. The rear of the goal 2 may be rotated upward and used to steer the goal 2 during movement. Alternatively, the rear of the goal 2 may be supported by at least one net carrier device 20 and together, the three may be used to move the goal 2 to a second location. Alignment of the net carrier devices 20 helps move the goal 2 from one location to another, while lack of alignment may make it overly difficult or cause damage to the underlying turf surface. The depicted embodiment of FIG. 1 includes an embodiment of the net carrier device 20 in removable receipt of the junction 2 a for transport of the goal 2 from one location to another.

Generally, the net carrier device 20 receives and supports the junction 2 a during movement from one location to another. FIG. 1 illustrates the junction 2 a associated with the netted goal 2 generally includes a ground support 6 and a downwardly depending structure 8 angularly joined at the junction 2 a. The ground support 6 is illustrated as having a generally planar surface for stability and resistance while overlying the ground and is depicted in FIG. 1 as secured along the mountable platform 30 by the bracket 36. The ground support 6 is useful in preventing movement and improving stability of the goal 2 and is depicted in FIG. 1 as secured using the upending support bracket 34. The embodiment of the downwardly depending structure 8 associated with the goal 2 which is illustrated in FIG. 1, is generally cylindrical and has sufficient dimensions for removable receipt from the net carrier device 20. The downwardly depending structure 8 extends from the junction 2 a and is secured for rotation along the upending support bracket 34 and the ground support 6 extends from the junction 2 a and is secured for rotation along a mountable platform 30.

The depicted net carrier device 20 of FIG. 1, includes mountable platform 30 which extends between a toe 37 and a heel 39. The mountable platform 30 generally provides for a plurality of receivers 32 for receiving mechanical fasteners associated with securing various components along the mountable platform 30. The toe 37 being spaced opposite the heel 39 and generally associated with a depending support bracket 28. The heel 39 is associated with an upending support bracket 34. In FIG. 1, the toe 37 is illustrated as being generally rectangular with the depending support bracket 28 positioned medially thereabout for supporting a forward load (not shown). An aligner 31 is positioned near the heel 39 and adapted for angular receipt of a wheeled assembly 40. The aligner 31 is configured to limit the mountable platform 30 from extending into the mouth of the netted goal 2.

The net carrier device 20 is generally adapted for rotational movement from one location to another with the use of the wheeled assembly 40. The wheeled assembly 40 is generally secured to the mountable platform 30 near the aligner 31. In general, the wheeled assembly 40 includes a wheel 22 rotationally connected to an axle 24, extending through a shaft bracket 26 and axle sleeve 25 engaged with a pair of mounting tabs 27 each having a central aperture associated with a circular mount 29 and configured for engagement with the axle sleeve 25. The length and orientation of the axle 24 and axle sleeve 25 are complementary and may vary depending on the particular geometry of the supported load.

Generally, the axle sleeve 25 is configured for rotational receipt of the axle 24 with a cylindrical hollow structure which interconnects the pair of mounting tabs 27 at its ends. The aligner 31 provides for variable angular offset of the wheel 22 during movement from one location to another. Depending on the desired trajectory of the net carrier device 20, the angular orientation of the wheel 22 may vary between 0 and 45 degrees. Depending on the desired angular orientation of rotation of the wheel 22, the shaft bracket 26 is positioned and secured along the bottom of the mountable platform 30, near the heel 39, to provide for the desired rotation.

The upending support bracket 34 extends upward from the heel 39 and together with the mountable platform 30 supports the carried load, the upending support bracket generally configured for receipt of the downward support 8. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the upending support 34 includes complementary structure for removable fastening to the bottom of the mountable platform 30. In one embodiment, the upending support bracket 34 is secured near the heel along a substantially linear edge 33 to help limit the mountable platform 30 from extending into the mouth of the netted goal 2. In one embodiment, the upending support bracket 34 and outer edge of the bracket 36 are aligned along the substantially linear edge 33 to position the ground support 6 towards the substantially linear edge, opposite the wheeled assembly 40. In a different embodiment, a pair of brackets 36 are centrally aligned with the upending support bracket 34 to maintain the ground support 6 in a centered orientation in relation to the mountable platform 30.

In some cases, the junction 2 a associated with the goal 2 has a linear geometry presented by the substantially aligned orientation between the downwardly extending support structure 8 and the ground support 6. In some cases, the junction 2 a associated with the goal 2 has an angular geometry presented by the angular orientation between the downwardly extending support structure 8 and the ground support 6. In cases when the junction 2 a is angular, positioning the wheeled assembly 40 along the aligner 31 may also help limit angular deflection of the mountable platform 30 during movement from one location to another. When the junction 2 a is linear, the wheeled assembly 40 may be positioned along one of the linear edges associated with the mountable platform 30. The receivers 32 allows for easy removal and placement of the wheeled assembly 40 in the desired orientation for the desired movement of the mountable platform 30. The carried load in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-2 is the junction 2 a and it includes a net cover.

The centrally positioned axle 24 associated with the repositionable wheeled assembly 40 depicted in FIG. 3, is received by the downward depending shaft bracket 26 secured to the bottom side of the mountable platform 30. The shaft bracket 26 includes the pair of mounting tabs 27 with circular mounts 29 configured to allow receipt of the axle 24 through the mounting tabs 27. Generally, the axle 24 rotates within the outer axle sleeve 25 which may or may not include a bearing structure (not shown) to reduce rotational friction as the wheel 22 rotates the axle 24. Optionally, the axle 24 may be secured to the shaft bracket 26 using a variety of generally known fasteners which rotationally retain the axle 24 within the shaft bracket 26 for desired rotation of the wheel 22. The shaft bracket 26 also includes a plurality of fasteners for removable receipt and selective positioning of the shaft bracket 26 along the bottom of the mountable platform 30.

The receivers 32 associated near the rear of the mountable platform 30 are arranged for fixing the shaft bracket 26 in a variety of pre-configured positions as needed for proper placement of the wheel 22. Generally, the position of the shaft bracket 26 is positioned along the mountable platform 30 in association with the aligner 31 for alignment of the wheel 22 based on the desired orientation of the wheel 22. For example, if a single net carrier device 20 is used, the angular orientation of the shaft bracket 26 may be positioned so that the wheel 22 is rotated in a straight orientation with respect to the wheel recess 31. In contrast, if two net carrier devices 20 are used, the net carrier devices 22 may be rotated so that the wheels 22 may need to be aligned for complementary angular rotation with respect to the wheel recess 31 so that they can operate in a generally straight-line orientation with the net carrier devices 20 rotated, resulting in an angular alignment of the shaft bracket 26.

The mountable platform 30 and depending and upending support brackets 28, 34 are generally made from a load supporting material which is generally rigid and resists deflection under load and during transport of the goal 2 from one location to another location. The load supporting material may include but is not limited to plastics and rigid metals including steel or aluminum. In one embodiment, the rigid metal may range between 20-3 gauge sheet steel, galvanized steel or stainless steel and at least 6 gauge aluminum. In the illustrated embodiment, the mountable platform 30 and depending support bracket 28 may comprise a single rigid piece of material using, for example, an injection molding process. Alternatively, the depending support bracket 28 may be separated from the mountable platform 30 or made flexible or fabricated as multiple pieces allowing the depending support bracket 28 and mountable platform 30 to be selectively assembled or disassembled as desired. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the mountable platform 30 and depending support bracket 28 and/or the upending support bracket 34 may be made from different materials, each having different properties and different shapes as desired.

The mountable platform 30 generally extends from the depending support bracket 28 to the upending support bracket 34 and has a plurality of receivers 32 which generally correspond to a complementary structure associated with each of the secured features such as the upending support bracket 34, the wheel assembly 40, or the bracket 36. The mountable platform 30 includes the substantially linear edge 33 associated with one side of the mountable platform 30 and extends from the upending support bracket 34 to the depending support bracket 28. Optionally, the mountable platform 30 may include a pair of radial turns near the depending support bracket 28 to reduce sharp edges. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the aligner 31 is located opposite the substantially linear edge 33 and near one side of the heel 39. Generally, the aligner 31 is located near the upending support bracket 34.

The aligner 31 is configured for providing an angular orientation for the wheeled assembly 40 and for housing the wheel 22 during movement of the netted goal carrier from one location to another. In operation, the wheeled assembly 40 is positioned near the heel. When the downward support 8 of the netted goal carrier 20 is rotated it pivots the depending support bracket 28 upward and allows for wheeled rotation of the net carrier device 20. The wheeled assembly 40 can be mounted to the mountable platform 30 along the substantially linear edge 33 or the aligner 31 depending on the desired orientation.

The receivers 32 allow for easy assembly, removal and adjustment of various components, including the junction 2 a, bracket 36, upending support bracket 34, depending support bracket 28 or wheeled assembly 40, for transport of the netted goal 2 from one location to another. Proper placement of the receivers 32 allows for a uniform pattern which can be used on the mountable platform 30 in a variety of uses including as a right-sided embodiment or left-sided embodiment by flipping the mountable platform 30 over. The receivers 32 are generally positioned along the mountable platform 30 so that they present the same pattern when the mountable platform 30 is in a top-up orientation or bottom-up orientation, with the mountable platform 30 flipped upside down. The uniform receiver pattern on the mountable platform 30 allows for mounting the same components regardless of whether the mountable platform 30 is top-up or bottom-up. By flipping the mountable platform 30 the uniform receiver pattern allows for interchangeability of the mountable platform 30 so that the same mountable platform can be used for “left” and “right” sided embodiments.

While the depicted embodiment includes apertures or slotted openings 32, other compatible securing structures between the mountable platform 30 may be utilized which allow for removal or adjustment of various secured structures. The secured structures may utilize a complementary structure for receipt by the apertures or slotted openings 32. In addition, pins or fasteners (not shown) may be inserted through the received structures and the openings 32 for additional fastening benefits and are considered within the scope of the current invention. The use of multiple apertures 32 along the mountable platform 30 allows the adaptable goal carrier to have a variety of additional features secured to and added to the mountable platform 30 for use in a variety of goal moving environments.

Bracket 36 provides for adjustable receipt of one of the support structures 8 extending along the mountable platform 30. The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 utilizes a first bracket 36 and a second bracket 38 secured in an opposing, open-faced manner, each being generally adjustable or slidable along the mountable platform 30 near the toe 37. Each bracket 36, 38 has a plurality of receiving structures 35 extending therealong. The depiction of the exemplary embodiment of the first and second bracket 36, 38 is generally L-shaped with a horizontal leg 36 a angled relative to a vertical body 36 b. In operation, the brackets 36, 38 can be adjusted with the vertical body 36 b moved closer or farther away as necessary for presenting an outwardly extending central passage extending from the toe 37 of the mountable platform 30. The central passage is generally adapted for receipt of the ground support 6 which may vary in width or have varying alignment in relation to the mouth of the goal 2. By adjusting the alignment of the brackets 36, 38 the central passage orients the netted goal carrier 20 such that it has limited interaction with the mouth of the goal 2. Removable mechanical fasteners such as bolts and nuts, an example of which are illustrated in FIG. 3, may be extended through the receiving structure 35 associated with each bracket 36 and through the receivers 32 associated with the mountable platform 30 near the toe 37. In the depicted embodiment, the pair of brackets 36 are generally positioned in aligned opposition to each other and in close or adjacent proximity of each other.

In an alternative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 6, with a pair of L-shaped brackets 136, 140 opposingly arranged. The first L-shaped bracket 136 and second L-shaped bracket 140 both have a horizontal leg 136 a, 140 a extending from a first and second vertical body 138, 142 respectively. The first vertical body 138 associated with the first L-shaped bracket 136 presents a rearwardly extending tab 137 while the second vertical body 140 associated with the second L-shaped bracket 140 presents a frontwardly extending tab 141 with each of the rearwardly and frontwardly extending tabs 137, 141 positioned above the mountable platform 30 in a spaced apart relationship. The rearwardly extending tab 137 in relation to the mountable platform 30 presents a first bracket receiver 50 while the frontwardly extending tab 141 in relation to the mountable platform 30 presents a second bracket receiver 51. Generally, the bracket receivers 50, 51 are configured for reciprocal receipt of the horizontal leg of the opposing bracket. Specifically, the first bracket receiver 50 depicted in FIG. 6 is configured for reciprocal receipt of the second horizontal leg 140 a and the second bracket receiver 51 is configured for reciprocal receipt of the first horizontal leg 136 a. Alternatively, the bracket receivers 50, 51 may be used in association with a rope, strap or tie for wrapping around and securing the ground support 6 associated with the netted goal 2.

An embodiment of the depending support bracket 28 is illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 which spaces and maintains the mountable platform 30 in a generally horizontal orientation. In one embodiment the depending support bracket 28 corresponds to the diameter of the wheel 22, allowing for proper spacing and orientation of the mountable platform 30 during movement and non-movement such as for resting the netted goal while positioned or moving between different locations. In addition to providing proper orientation, the depending support bracket 28 allows the goal 2 to be maintained while not moving in a generally horizontal orientation. The depending support bracket 28 also includes an optional rearward facing lip 28 b which provides stability during rest and avoids insertion or becoming embedded into the ground during movement.

An embodiment of the upending support bracket 34 is illustrated in FIGS. 3-4. The illustrated embodiment includes a spacer 42 which vertically spaces a U-shaped embodiment of the upending support bracket 34 from the mountable platform 30 for supported receipt of the downwardly depending structure 8. The U-shaped upending support bracket 34 depicted in FIGS. 3-4 generally includes a left side 46 spaced from a right side 47 by a central spline 48, the left and right side 48, 47 being mirror images of each other although different configurations may be utilized. The central spline 48 include a slotted opening 32 and each of the left and right sides 48, 47 includes a threadable aperture 45 for receipt of a wire-tie or other flexible member threaded therethrough.

In operation, the netted goal carrier 20 may be used to move the netted goal 2 from one location to another by placing the netted goal carrier 20 on the ground in a generally horizontal orientation with the depending support bracket engaging the underlying ground surface. The downward support 8 is then lifting off the ground and the netted goal junction 2 a is moved onto the netted goal carrier, for support on the mountable platform 30 with the downward support 8 positioned towards the heel 39 with the netted goal junction 2 a. The downward support 8 is then received by the upending support bracket 34. The same process may be used to support a second netted goal junction (not shown) on a second netted goal carrier (not shown). Fasteners or pins (not shown) may be secured through the upending support bracket(s) 34 if necessary. The rear of the netted goal 2 is then pivoted upward a distance from the ground, which can vary from 2 to 8 inches, but in one embodiment is approximately 4 inches off the ground for movement of the netted goal 2 from one location to a second location.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown. 

1. A netted goal carrier for moving a netted goal junction joining a downward support and a ground support from a first location to a second location, said netted goal carrier comprising: a mountable platform which extends from a removeable depending support bracket to a removeable upending support bracket and configured for receiving said netted goal junction during movement; said upending support bracket having sufficient structure for receiving the downward support; a bracket mounted to said mountable platform in alignment with said upending support bracket; a wheeled assembly configured for rotational movement of said mountable platform; and an aligner positioned near said upending support bracket and configured for angular receipt of said wheeled assembly during movement of said netted goal junction from the first location to the second location.
 2. The netted goal carrier of claim 1 wherein said wheeled assembly further comprises a wheel extending through a shaft bracket secured along said aligner.
 3. The netted goal carrier of claim 1 further comprising a second bracket mounted to said mountable platform near said toe, said second bracket slidable in relation to said bracket for adjustable receipt of said ground support.
 4. The netted goal carrier of claim 2 wherein said shaft bracket is moveable along said mountable platform for securing said wheel in a plurality of positions.
 5. A netted goal carrier comprising: a mountable platform presenting an edge which extends from a toe to a heel; a slidable bracket mounted to said mountable platform between said toe and said heel; a depending support bracket mounted along said toe and extending from said mountable platform to a lip; an upending support bracket mounted along said heel and aligned with said edge; a wheeled assembly configured for rotational movement of said mountable platform; and an aligner positioned near said heel and configured for angular receipt of said wheeled assembly.
 6. The netted goal carrier of claim 5 further comprising a second slidable bracket positioned along said mountable platform between said toe and said heel facing said slidable bracket.
 7. The netted goal carrier of claim 6 wherein said slidable bracket and said second slidable bracket present a central passage extending from said mountable platform. 